Börte, sometimes known as Lady Börte, was the daughter of the Onggirat tribe’s leader. At just 10 years old, she was set to marry a then nine-year-old Genghis Khan, the future founder of the Mongol Empire. Shortly after they were old enough to marry, Börte was kidnapped during a raid by another nomadic tribe, the Merkits. She was later rescued by her husband, and they had several children together. As empress of the Mongol Empire, she was known for her strength and cleverness. She became an advisor on politics and managed the huge camp where the Mongols lived. Börte’s legacy of patience, strength, and intelligence left a mark on history as we know it.

Born in Tangier, a city in Morocco,
Ibn Battuta left home at just 21 years old to begin a life of adventure. His first journey was to Mecca to make his pilgrimage, or Hajj. The completion of this important Muslim tradition inspired his lifelong passion for travel. When he was a student, he learned from some of the greatest scholars in Africa and Asia. He crossed the Arabian Desert, sailed the Persian Gulf, and wandered through lands conquered by the Mongols, observing their different customs and people. His many journeys were recorded in his famous book called Rihlah (travels). Ibn Battuta traveled a total of 75,000 miles and is considered one of the greatest explorers of the medieval world.